Littered with freshmen and sophomores, Auburn’s depth chart entering Saturday’s opener against Louisville has cost Gus Malzahn some much-needed sleep this week.

Out of 69 total players on the Tigers’ official depth chart, 35 have two years or less experience in the program including 12 true freshmen.

“Probably my biggest stress is just the new guys being out there for the first time, holding onto the ball, protecting the ball,” Malzahn said Tuesday, according to AL.com. “That’s always a big factor in the first games, along with special teams, as far as that goes. Overall, I do like where our offense and our defense’s mentality is. It’s just going to be a matter of getting those young guys out there, letting them play, letting them do their thing.”

The only true freshman expected to start against the Cardinals is Tim Irvin at nickelback, but Chandler Cox is competing with redshirt freshman Kamryn Pettway for snaps at HB and five-star pass rusher Byron Cowart figures to be in the rotation early behind DaVonte Lambert.

“There are a lot of question marks,” Malzahn said, according to AL.com. “I mean, look at the freshmen on the list. I mean, that really sticks out to me – and I knew that before we put the depth chart together, but when you see it the reality hits you. Bunch of young guys.”